Are your showers not at warm as you want them to be? Do you worry that when you use your hot water it’s going to scald you? These are water heating concerns that many of our customers have. Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for water that’s too hot or too cold. You can get the temperature just right when you learn how to adjust the water heater’s temperature.

Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, here are some things you need to know to get your home’s water temperature just right.

Take Precautions

Many people don’t realize that adjusting their water temperature can be risky. However, any time you adjust the water heater, you’re working with electricity and water. As you know, these two things don’t mix well together. Therefore, you always need to take proper precautions when you adjust the temperature. If you’re not comfortable making these adjustments, call one of our plumbers in Fillmore, CA, to assist with this task.

Why Water Heating Settings Matter

You want the water heater to be the right temperature for the following reasons:

• Avoid bacterial contamination. When water is too cool, bacteria such as Legionella pneumophila can breed. This bacteria is the source of a serious lung infection known as Legionnaires’ disease.
• Burns. When water is 150 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter, a person can suffer third-degree burns in as little as two seconds. Children and the elderly are at higher risks of scalding injuries. These burns can require hospitalization and leave behind nasty scars.

The best temperature for hot water heaters is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, you’ll have enough hot water supply and you reduce scalding risks.

Steps for Setting the Water Heater Temperature

• First turn off the water heater’s power
• Locate the thermostat dial on the water heater. In most cases, it will be behind on the top of the tank or near the bottom.
• Turn the dial to the “medium” setting or 120 degrees Fahrenheit on models that have temperature marks.
• Give the water heater about an hour to heat to the new setting.
  Test the water to make sure it’s not too hot or too cold.

These are very basic instructions for setting your water heater’s temperature. For precise instructions specific to your water heater model, refer to the instruction manual that came with the heater. If you don’t have the manual, check online because most manufacturer’s have them available on their websites. As always, when in doubt, call for professional services.

My Fillmore Plumber Hero is a local plumbing service company available 24/7 to help you with all water heating needs including setting your water heater’s temperature. Call us today to book a service call.